Lesson 5. The sign of the cross, the signing, the meaning of the latter as a symbolic representation of the dogma of the Holy Trinity

Methodical Instructions and Lesson Notes on the Law of God

Plan. Review of what has been learned. Indications of the correct depiction of the sign of the cross and correction of inaccuracies. Three-finger addition; the meaning of a single folding of the fingers. The Trinity of God. the names of the persons of the deity; Their equality. The concept of the Holy Trinity. Moral Application. H. When we pray to God, we look at the icons. Do we not do something with our hands? U. We are baptized. H. Stand up, look at the icon and cross yourself. I see that many of you are in a hurry and make the wrong sign of the cross. See how you need to make a cross on yourself. At the same time, the teacher of the law correctly and earnestly makes the sign of the cross on himself. Where do I put my hand first? U. On the forehead. H. Then where? U. On the stomach. H. Then on what shoulder? U. To the right, and then to the left. H. For the sign of the cross, we put our hand: on the forehead, on the stomach, on the right and on the left shoulder. If we pass our hand from the forehead to the stomach, and from one shoulder to the other, we will get a cross. Look how I will do it on myself, and let one of you draw a cross on the blackboard. Always, children, make a cross on yourself without haste. Let's cross ourselves all together. Now tell me, children, what do you make a cross: with all your fingers or not? U. With three fingers. H. See how you should fold your fingers. How are my fingers folded? U. Together. H. You need to put three fingers together, in one fold. Who exists only one in the world? U. God. H. When we put three fingers together in one fold, we show that we are praying to the same God. What do we show when we put three fingers together in one fold? U. That we pray to God alone. This question should be answered by as many students as possible. But we could make the sign of the cross with one finger for this, and we cross ourselves with three and put them together in one fold. Listen carefully, I will tell you now why we cross ourselves not with one finger, but put three fingers together. Remember well: God is one, but in three Persons. The last truth is repeated by the disciples in chorus and alone. It is impossible to explain it by comparisons in elementary school. Can you not now guess why we do not pray with one finger, but put three fingers together in one fold? Children usually give the correct answer to this question. Otherwise, the teacher of the law will have to draw the necessary conclusion himself. God is one, but in three Persons. The first person is God the Father. Who is the First Person? U. God the Father. H. The second is God the Son. Who is the Second Person? U. God the Son. H. First who? U. God the Father. H. Second? The third person is God the Holy Spirit[1]. After that, it is necessary to give in order and in breakdown a few questions about the names of the Persons of the Holy Trinity. We have learned that God is one, but in three Persons. Does God have the same Faces as men? Students usually answer: "The same", i.e. like people, so you have to make a conclusion on the basis of the truths already known to children from previous lessons. Does God have a body? U. No. He lives without a body. H. Then does He have the same Faces as men? U. No, not like that. H. God's Persons are incorporeal. All three Persons together are called the Holy Trinity. What is the Holy Trinity? Now let's repeat what we talked about today. When we pray, what do we do on ourselves? What do we do the cross with? With which hand? Is it with the whole hand? How do we fold our fingers? What do we denote with one addition? What do three fingers mean? What are the faces of God? What are They called together? Are the Faces of the Holy Trinity similar to human faces? When we pray, we make a cross on the body with our right hand. Put three fingers together, put them on the forehead, on the stomach, on the right and on the left shoulder. The three fingers signify the three Persons of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And putting the fingers together means that God is essentially one. We pray to one God in three Persons. The concept of the saint remains unclear, due to the particular difficulty of understanding it, until the 9th lesson.^

Lesson 6. Equality of the Persons of the Holy Trinity. Teaching the prayer "In the name of the Father..."

Methodical Instructions and Lesson Notes on the Law of God

Plan. Equality of finger folding for the sign of the cross; its meaning as a symbol of the equality of the Persons of the Holy Trinity. Our dependence on God. The Necessity of Prayer. The first prayer is "Lord, bless". Our duty is to do only good; our promise to do it. Derivation of the prayer "In the name of the Father...", its explanation, study. Moral Application. H. We pray to one God in three Persons. To do this, we add how many fingers to one fold? U. Three. H. With these three fingers we make a cross on ourselves. Why do we make the cross, I will tell you later, but now I will ask you: what are the names of the three Persons of the Holy Trinity? D. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. H. Look at the folded fingers: which of them is placed higher or lower? U. All fingers are folded equally. H. All fingers are folded equally. By this we mean that all three Persons of the Holy Trinity are equal. What do we mean when we add three fingers equally? U. That all three Persons of the Holy Trinity are equal. H. None of them is older or younger, neither more nor less, but God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are equal among themselves. Therefore, children, when you pray, put all three fingers together equally. Do you already know that everyone in the world is whose? U. God's. H. Therefore, before starting any business, from whom do we ask permission? U. At God's. H. What are the names of our words to God? U. Prayer. H. What prayer should be said before the beginning of any work? U. "Lord, bless." H. Bless - how to put it differently? U. Allow me. H. If we ask permission from the father or the mother, will they allow us to do something bad, such as beating a brother or sister? U. They won't allow it. H. Father and mother tell us to do only something necessary, good. And God commands us even more to do only one good thing. If we always do one good thing, are we scolded or praised? U. Praised. H. And our father and mother are scolded or praised for our good deeds? U. Also praised. Z. Yes, people will say, Ivan or Peter have smart children, apparently, he is a good man himself. People will call a person by name and praise him. How do people talk about someone when they see good children? U. They will call a person by name and praise him. H. There are many people on the whole earth, but God is one. All people are children, and who is their father? U. God. H. Yes, the father of all men is God. If we always do one good thing, then people will praise both us and the name of God. Therefore, everything must be done in such a way that people praise the name of God, or, in other words, to praise the name of God. You know that God exists in three Persons, name them. D. God the Father... H. Yes, we are to do all things for the praise of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. "For praise" is also spoken in a different way in the name. Everything must be done for praise or in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Is that correct? U. That's right. H. Instead of the word "true," prayers say amen. What does Amen mean? U. That's right. H. Everything must be done in such a way that all people see our good deeds and praise the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Good people always say the prayer "Lord, bless" before starting an action, and then the prayer: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Amen. Now we will memorize this prayer. Memorization is carried out first by the choir, and then individually by the students. In choral memorization, it is useful to resort to singing prayers, at least in one tone. This technique excites the attention of students, makes the lesson more lively and thus contributes to its fruitfulness. After memorization, it is helpful to repeat the explanation of the prayer again. What does it mean in the name? For what do we do people praise the name of God? What does Amen mean? What deeds do we promise to do when we read the prayer: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit? Why do we promise to do good deeds? How does the prayer say this? Do not forget, children, that everything in the world is God's. Without God's blessing, nothing can be done, but God commands us to do good deeds. Therefore, before starting any work, we will say: "Lord, bless. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Lesson 7. Teaching the prayers "Glory to Thee, O our God, glory to Thee", "Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit"

Methodical Instructions and Lesson Notes on the Law of God

Plan. God's love for people; the need of people to glorify Him in prayer. The meaning of the word "glory". Study of the prayer "Glory to Thee, O our God...". The meaning of Slavic words in the prayer "Glory to the Father...", its study. Moral Application. H. Whose is everything in the world? U. God's. H. And who gives us everything we need? U. God. H. God gives us everything and gives us everything good, because He loves us. And whoever gives people something good, do people reproach or praise him? [1] U. Praise. H. God always gives everything we need, and smart people always praise God. We praise people with words, and God can be praised with words. What are our words to God called? U. Prayer. H. Then people praise God with what? U. Prayer. H. When people praise God, they say the prayer: "Praise be to Thee, O our God, praise to Thee." When we want to praise someone, we say about such a person that he is nice. In the same way, in prayers, instead of the word "praise", they say glory. How is "praise" said in prayers? U. Slava. Now we will remember the prayer: Glory to Thee, O our God, glory to Thee. The prayer is memorized first in chorus, and then individually[2]. "Glory": how else to say it? U. Praise. H. When we say the prayer: Glory to Thee, O our God... To whom do we pray? U. God. H. What do we do with this prayer? U. We praise God. H. By this prayer we praise God alone. And in how many Persons does God exist? U. In three persons. H. Name the three Persons of the Holy Trinity. D. God the Father... H. We glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Just now we said the prayer: Glory to Thee, O our God, glory to Thee. In the same way, people pray to all three Persons of the Holy Trinity: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. "Glory" in any other way? U. Praise. H. So, when we praise all three Persons of the Holy Trinity, then we say: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Let's remember these words. Memorization follows. People praise God now and always, and will never cease to praise Him. This is what they say in the prayer "Glory to the Father...". Now," they say in prayer today. How does the prayer say the word "now"? U. Now. H. What does it mean now? U. Now. This question must be answered by several students in order for the meaning of the Slavic word to be assimilated. The same is done when memorizing other Slavic words. Z. "Always" in prayer is said ever. How - "now"? What does it mean ever? What does it mean now? We have said that people will never cease to praise the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And in prayer they say: ... forever and ever. How is it said that people will never stop praising God? U. Forever and ever. H. What does it mean forever and ever? How are the words "now" and "always" said in prayers? To the prayer: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, we will add the words: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Now let's read a prayer. In this prayer, to whom is "glory" said? U. To the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. H. When is this "glory" said? U. Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. H. Is this true? U. That's right. H. And how do we say the word "true" in prayer? U. Amen. H. Let us add this word to the prayer and read it in its entirety. This is followed by reading, and then memorizing the prayer. Today we have said that everything in the world is God's; God loves us, gives us everything we need. For this, we praise God with prayers. When we praise God, we say: "Glory to Thee, O our God, glory to Thee." God in Three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and therefore we praise God with another prayer: "Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen." Now you, children, know the four prayers and read them in the morning and in the evening when you pray to God. When you learn more other prayers, then read them too, and I will tell you when to read which prayers. The expressions "blame", "blaspheme" and the like are unfamiliar to children, and therefore here "praise" is contrasted with the word "scold" in the Russian meaning of the latter.^ This rule must be observed in the study of each prayer, and in the following exposition instructions about choral and single memorization will not be made.^

Lesson 8. Prostrations and blessings

Methodical Instructions and Lesson Notes on the Law of God

Plan. Repetition of all memorized prayers. Symbolic actions during prayer: making the sign of the cross, bowing; the importance of the latter in everyday life and in our relationship to God; division of prostrations into large and small; the significance of both. Blessing of parents; the priest's blessing is private and public; The meaning of both types of blessing. H. Let us remember today the prayers that we have learned. What do we ask of God when we say, "Lord, bless"? Who will read the prayer "In the name of the Father..."? To whom do we pray in this prayer? What do we promise to do? Who among you will say: "Glory to Thee, O God..."? Glory to the Father..."? What does "glory" mean? "Now"? "Ever"? "forever and ever"? "Amen"? When we pray, how many fingers do we fold? What hand? What do we do with our hands? Where do we put our hand? Now tell me, children, what do we do when we put the cross on ourselves? U. We bow. H. Do we always bow in the same way? U. No, we bow sometimes to the ground, and sometimes less. H. Sometimes we tilt our heads only to the waist. Stand up, all of you, and make a bow to the waist... Such a bow is called a waist or small bow. Sometimes we reach the ground with our heads; Such a bow is called a prostration to the ground or greater. Why is a small bow called a waist bow? Why is the big one called earthly? People pray standing on their feet, but don't they pray in another way? U. On his knees. Now we know that during prayer we need to stand in front of the icon, look at it, put a cross on ourselves with three fingers, make either small or large prostrations, and read the words of the prayer. Why we make a cross on ourselves, you will soon find out, but for now we will talk about prostrations. Do you bow to any of the people? In answering this question, the disciples usually enumerate the teachers of the law, the teacher, relatives, etc. All these people are older than you, so we bow to which of the people? U. Who is older than us. H. What does the teacher of the law do for you? U. They teach us. H. And what about the father and mother? U. They feed and clothe us. H. Father and mother feed and clothe the children, the teacher of religion and the teacher teach them at school, the elders teach the children goodness, all the elders take care of us. When we bow to the elders, we bow to show our gratitude for their concerns. God cares for us more than all people, and therefore we bow to Him during prayer. What do we show God by our prostrations? U. Our gratitude[1]. H. We make only small prostrations to people, but we bow to God to the ground and kneel during prayer. In addition to the fact that we make a cross on ourselves, we sometimes ask that either our father and mother or a priest make a cross on us. When we want to do something important, we ask our father and mother to make a cross on us, and when we meet with a priest, we ask him to do it. When a father, mother, elder or priest makes a cross on us, this is called a blessing. Whoever blesses, reads a prayer. Only good words are said in prayers. "Good" is also called good. What is called a blessing? What is the other way to use the word "good"? What does good mean? "Blessing" means a good word, and during the blessing, the one who blesses, reads a prayer and makes a cross with his hand on the one he is blessing. Whoever wants to receive a blessing stretches out his right hand with the palm up, and after the blessing kisses the hand of the one who blesses. At the same time, the teacher of the law must show how the hands are folded to receive the blessing. Now stand all up and show how to fold your hands when you need to receive a blessing. We must say to God before starting any work: "Lord, bless," but both parents and priests bless in the name of God, because they read a prayer during the blessing. Therefore, the blessing of parents or a priest is God's blessing. In church, of course, you saw that the priest sometimes turned his face to the people and made a cross with his hand. It is he who blesses all the people. We always need God's blessing, and therefore the priest blesses the people during each service in the church. Now we will repeat everything that we have talked about today. When we pray, we stand before the icon, make a cross on ourselves with three fingers of our right hand, make a waist or prostration to the ground, and read prayers[2]. By bowing, we show our gratitude to God for all that He gives us. During the bow, we bow our head either only to the waist, and then the bow is called waist or small, or we bow our head to the ground, and then the bow is called earthly or great. We not only read the prayer ourselves and make the cross on ourselves, but we also ask our elders to do the same. The elders give us a blessing. When we are blessed by our parents or a priest, then we are blessed by God Himself, and He helps us in our affairs. Therefore, children, when you meet a priest, ask him for a blessing, and when you want to do something important, ask for a blessing from your parents. Do this not only now, but also when you grow big. The blessing of parents and the priest gives happiness in deeds. Note. The teacher of the law must pay serious attention to the blessing of the hand, so that it is not just a kiss of the hand extended to the person being blessed. A deeper meaning of prostrations can be clarified in the explanation of the service.^ The time of kneeling prayer, in accordance with the church rule, can be indicated in the explanation of the service.^

Lesson 9. The creation of the invisible world. The Fall of the Angels. The prayer "Holy, Holy..."

Methodical Instructions and Lesson Notes on the Law of God